by Manchester City midfielder Alex Robertson was called up by Australia on Tuesday and will become the third generation of his family to play for the Socceroos.
The Sydney-born 19-year-old has played junior level football for England and Australia but now looks set to commit to Graham Arnold’s side.
Robertson’s father, Mark, played for Australia in 2001 and his grandfather in 1984.
“I’ve probably been talking to him for more than 18 months,” Arnold told reporters ahead of friendlies against Ecuador in Sydney on March 24 and Melbourne four days later.
“This time, when I told him I wanted to cast him, he immediately said, ‘I can’t wait.'”
“I think the kid has now aligned with Australia,” Arnold added.
“I’m pretty sure once he puts on the Socceroos jersey and feels the emblem over his heart, he’s only playing for one nation.”
Robertson has played for Manchester City’s Under-23s but has yet to make his senior debut for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Arnold compared the teenager to City’s Premier League star Kevin De Bruyne.
“He plays very similarly to De Bruyne at Man City, he gets into the box, scores goals and has a good style,” Arnold said.
“When you’re training with those kinds of players every week, you’re there for a reason and that reason is that Pep Guardiola rates him very highly and sees the quality he has.”
Arnold also called up 17-year-old Adelaide United winger Nestory Irankunda to train with the national team.
“Watching the kid play, he has special qualities,” said Arnold, who led Australia to the World Cup knockout stage in Qatar.
“He comes to live an experience, but that does not rule him out of playing time.
“I want him to learn fast. I think he’ll end up at that level.”
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